Author Interview: Ceri Clark

 

NOTE: THIS AUTHOR IS NOT AN LV BOOK DESIGN CLIENT AND ALL IMAGES WERE PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR.

 
  • First, can you give us some background about yourself?

  • I've always wanted to be a writer. I wrote a full length book which was really an Enid Blyton knockoff at about 8 or 9 years old. It wasn't until I became a school librarian though that I had the time to write a novel. I had a ready supply of children to see if the book would appeal and it was really useful to see what they liked (or didn't like). 
  • What have you written?

  • Coming out in the next few months: Space Puzzles: Minkie Monster and The Birthday Surprise, Under the Sea Puzzles: Minkie Monster and the Lost Treasure. Already published: Children of the Elementi, A Simpler Guide to Gmail, A Simpler Guide to Google Drive, A Simpler Guide to Calibre, A Simpler Guide to Finding Free eBooks, Email Management using Gmail A Simpler Guide to Online Security and four disguised password books. 
 
 
  • Are you currently working on anything?

  • 3 Minkie Monster books aimed at 3-5 year olds (2 are finished), Accidental Immortal, a sci-fi/fantasy novel and A Simpler Guide to Google Sheets
  • How much research do you do for your writing?

  • For my Simpler Guides I test the software, watch YouTube tutorials and look at other books. For my fantasy, I sometimes have to ask people or do my research on the Internet. For my puzzle books, I test them on my son and cousins. I am "forced" to watch a lot of children's tv and read a lot of children's books. :) 
     
  • What is your process like in the midst of writing a book?

  • I am most definitely a sprinter. I love NaNoWriMo. This is where I write the majority of my novels and then I spend years editing. Just going over and over the book before I put it away for a couple of months and then go over it again! 
     
  • What does your routine look like when you get to the editing process?

  • I dislike editing but when I get into it, I do strangely enjoy it. I have friends who use spreadsheets but I just keep notes and plod through it, a paragraph at a time. 
     
  • Do you have any quirks or rituals that help you achieve your writing goals?

  • The only thing I can think of regarding quirks is that I do NaNoWriMo every year. I use my phone a lot of the time during that month so I can write while waiting to pick my son up from school or when I'm at the bus stop. It helps me get my 50,000 words done! 
     
  • Tell us about your work space.

  • Very cramped! I'm actually partially sighted so I have a 27" screen for design work and I have to have my type really large on screens. I'm sandwiched between the sofa and toy boxes in the living room. 
 
 
  • Are there any software or apps that help you in your writing process?

  • I love Microsoft Word. This is because I can use web view and have the text at 330% which is perfect for me. 
     
  • What do you do when you lose focus? Any tips for getting it back?

  • When I lose focus, I put the project down and start something else. This year I published four password books while I was prevaricating. I have nearly finished Accidental Immortal which I went back to after they were done. 
     
  • Tell us about your publishing process.

  • I am self-published but I am part of Myrddin Publishing which is an author cooperative. We give each other support and advice when it is needed. 
     
  • Where can people find you and your work?
  • http://minkiemonster.com 
    http://cericlark.com